Four development teams have taken home top prizes in a competition for advanced infrastructure proposals, each securing up to $10 million in investment capital. The winning projects, which include an infrastructure-to-vehicle communications system in Arizona and a regional transportation partnership in Cincinnati, were announced last Friday at the Smarter Regions Conference in Columbus, Ohio.

The conference, which doubled as a pitch competition for 80 groups seeking startup funding, was sponsored by consulting firm Venture Smarter, which advises local governments on technology-driven solutions to civic problems. While four projects were chosen as the winners in specific categories, the firm’s chief executive, Zack Huhn, said between 70 and 80 percent of the field of applicants may also receive funding from a group of private equity investors Venture Smarter has lined up.More>>